Members dikman Posted June 2, 2020 Members Report Posted June 2, 2020 I have a belt grinder which I use a lot - metal, wood, plastic, nylon and yes, leather. The problem is it's too fast and burns the leather and wood if I'm not very careful. So I bit the boolit, so to speak, and treated myself to a new grinder, something I've wanted for years. This one is designed primarily for knifemakers and runs 48" belts, and I went the whole hog and bought a 3-phase motor with it and a separate VFD. It took a while to figure out how to programme the VFD but now I can run the grinder from almost nothing to flat out! No more burning leather. I'm so impressed with the VFD/3-phase motor setup that I'm thinking of fitting one to my lathe. Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
CFM chuck123wapati Posted June 2, 2020 CFM Report Posted June 2, 2020 very cool!! I see some new leather tools in your future as well as unburned leather. That is a nice setup. Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
Members dikman Posted June 3, 2020 Author Members Report Posted June 3, 2020 Figured I should post a couple of pics, after all we all like looking at pics. The little box on top of the motor is the remote control I just fitted, so I don't have to keep opening the VFD enclosure. The platen arm can be tilted/rotated to place the contact wheels at the front and there is a work table, of course, but I normally leave it off. The grinder alongside is my original one, which uses 36" belts but is too fast for leather. I made a fitting for it to use 48" belts but now that I have the new one I decided to go back to the 36" on it. The white pipe is a piece of plastic conduit that I slid on the handle that releases the belt for changing, it's a bit easier on the hand than the metal handle. Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
RockyAussie Posted June 3, 2020 Report Posted June 3, 2020 VERY ....VERY ...VERY NICE. I LIKE A LOT. sorry to shout but that is BEAUTIFUL. I want one now!!!!! Quote Wild Harry - Australian made leather goodsYouTube Channel Instagram
Members Bert51 Posted June 3, 2020 Members Report Posted June 3, 2020 Wow, what size belt do you have there. Envious is one word I can think of, Very ENVIOUS in fact. Bert. Quote
CFM chuck123wapati Posted June 3, 2020 CFM Report Posted June 3, 2020 That is awesome!!!!!!!!!! Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
garypl Posted June 3, 2020 Report Posted June 3, 2020 Very nice - what brand is it? Gary Quote Cowboy 4500, Consew 206RB-4
Members dikman Posted June 3, 2020 Author Members Report Posted June 3, 2020 (edited) Yeah, I'm pretty chuffed with it. It's Australian-made (for a change ) - https://www.artisansupplies.com.au/product-category/knife-making-supplies/knifemaking-belt-and-disc-grinder-parts-and-accessories/84-engineering-48-inch-belt-grinders/ I first saw one at the Adelaide Knife Show a couple of years ago but I thought it was a bit expensive for my needs. I recently started thinking about getting a new belt grinder and started looking around. I found a beautiful unit, also Australian made, called the Radiusmaster, but it was over twice what I ended up paying for this one! I also wanted a 72" unit, but the problem I had with that is they take up more space, which would be an issue where I wanted to put it. This unit turned out a lot more compact than I expected, which is a bonus. I toyed with the idea of building one as the construction of this is actually relatively simple and Artisansupplies also sell all the various wheels etc, but in the end I figured it was too much trouble so just bought one. I bought the motor from them as their pricing was good, but they wanted $800+ for a programmed VFD!! Mine cost me $200 off ebay (and I could have bought a different one for half that) plus a bit of work fitting it and watching lots of youtube vids to figure out how to programme it. It will outlast me and I've no doubt it will eventually be "inherited" by one of my sons-in-law. Edit: Bert, belt size is 48" x 2", (a standard size). Edited June 3, 2020 by dikman Quote Machines wot I have - Singer 51W59; Singer 331K4; Seiko STH-8BLD; Pfaff 335; CB4500. Chinese shoe patcher; Singer 201K (old hand crank)
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